SOLLERS POINT TECHNICAL

May 2016

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students:

Welcome to the May edition of our school newsletter. May is the

month where we bid farewell to our seniors. I want to thank each

and every one of our seniors for choosing Sollers Point Tech.

Attending two schools at the same time takes both commitment and

effort. We appreciate your willingness to go the extra mile to ensure

you are both college and career ready. Our Senior Recognition

ceremony is just a few weeks away and I look forward to

recognizing your efforts and contributions one last time.

May also provides us with an opportunity to test the skills and

knowledge students have acquired this year. We will administer the

Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science assessment during

the first week of May. The Partnership for Assessment of

Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments in our

Algebra I classes from May 18-20th. We will follow this set of

assessments with the statewide Biology High School Assessment

(HSA) beginning on or around May 24th.

If you are beginning to think about your Sollers Point Tech schedule

for next year, we plan to mail 2015-16 schedules during the last

week of July. If you have a question or concern, feel free to call the

front office or an administrator for assistance.

Courtney Russell was recognized as the 2016 Sollers Point Tech-nical High Ethics award winner on April 13. This prestigious award goes to a select group of 25 seniors from across the county each year. Thanks to Jillian Hensley (Culinary), Dimitris Pizanis (Diesel Engine), Jenna Carmean, Corrinne Miller (Bronze Medal winner – Baking), Gavin Chambers, Nathan Schoene, and Nathaniel Scott (Crime Scene Investigation) for representing Sollers Point at the Skills USA championships. Thanks to the following students for participating in the MESA championships at Morgan State University.

Prosthetic Arm - Jamie Cygan, Ethan Childs, Isabella Smith, Timothy Saunders & Brandon Lure

Battle Bot - Jasper Bacigalupa, Manolis Alexiou & Kevin Lapole. Wood Bridge - Ahmed Ismaeil & Jonathan McNeal

Best wishes to Chef Smith and his culinary arts team at the national

championships in Dallas, TX. We will provide you with an update

and photos of the competition in our June newsletter.

There are 34 days remaining for freshman, sophomores, and juniors. 4

th quarter interim reports will be distributed on Friday, May

6th. This is just one week away. Please continue to work hard,

attend school every day, and commit yourself to being the best student you can be. It’s an honor and privilege to be your principal.

GO STALLIONS!

Michael L. Weglein, Principal

Sollers Point students Make a Strong Showing

at the MESA Competitions

The Battle Bot Team

The Wood Bridge Team

Sollers Point students from Engineering Tech, Programing, and Construc-

tion Management participated in the daylong MESA (Math Engineering Science

Achievement) event and competitions at Morgan State University in Baltimore on

April 15th.

Students learned many things in this compe-

tition. For instance, many groups learned

how to work together under intense pressure

and stress. Team members also learned to

put aside personal differences in order to

work together. Most groups learned how to

manage time successfully, and how to bal-

ance things out together. The prosthetic arm

team and battle bot teams had to mix design

and construction with computer programming as well. Members of each group also

learned how to switch roles among the group. Students also

had fun in between events at the gaming center.

Sollers Point MESA students competed in three

events - the prosthetic arm, wood bridge, and battle bot. The

battle bot team won a second place trophy, the prosthetic arm

team won a second place trophy, and the wood bridge team

won first place over Eastern Tech with a bridge weighing less

than 15g and holding more than 13kg!

The Prosthetic Arm Team

Pictured L-R: Brandon Lure, Ethan Childs, Timothy Saunders, Mr. Weglein, Isabella Smith, and Jamie Cygan

Pictured L-R: Mr. Weglein, Ahmed Ismaeil, and Jonathan McNeal

Pictured L-R: Jasper Bacigalupa, Manolis Alexiou, Kevin Lapole

More Award Winners at Sollers Point!!!

Sollers Point Instructor Named DCC Teacher of the Year!!!

The Dundalk Chamber of Commerce hosted

its 12th annual awards program and recogni-

tion dinner for deserving teachers from area

public schools and The Community College

of Baltimore County on Thursday, April 21st

at the Hilton Garden Inn in White Marsh,

MD. Fourteen educators were nominated for

the 2016 awards. One winner was selected for each level of public education

schools and the Dundalk campus of CCBC. Mr. Jim D’Antonio proudly repre-

sented Sollers Point Technical High on the awards stage.

Mr. D’Antonio enjoys guiding students in the

learning process to become conscientious citizens.

He is an instructional facilitator who helps to guide

students toward content comprehension. In addition

to teaching the students biology, he interweaves the

life skills they will need to succeed. Students learn to

present, cite, and problem solve all while developing

an understanding regarding the anatomical and

physiological influences of nephrons on the kidney.

Mr. D’Antonio has been teaching at Sollers Point Technical High for 8

years. He has taught various science courses and is currently the lead

instructor for Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences. Congratulations!!!

Baking and Pastry Student

Wins 3rd Place in State Championships!!!

Congratulations to Corrine Miller for winning third place in

the Skills USA Baking State Championship at Lincoln Tech

in Columbia, MD on Saturday, April 16th.

Ethics Award Winner at Sollers Point!!!

Congratulations to senior, Courtney Russell for being selected as the Sollers

Point Ethics Award winner for 2016. Courtney exemplifies the values of Sol-

lers Point and BCPS. Visit the following link for more information.

https://www.bcps.org/students/showcase/2016/crussell/

Academy of Health Professions Bernard Bermudez KHS Tori Ciesla SPHS Athziry Garcia CHS Hamza Iguidre DHS Hayle Kyte PHS Amber Pearce DHS Stefanie Pereyra DHS Lucy Polvinale CHS Baking and Pastry Jenna Carmean KHS Samantha Fletcher PHHS Brianna Hall PHS Corrinne Miller KHS Yaritza Ortiz KHS Construction Management Deonte Terry KHS Cosmetology 2 Shelby Wellington PHS Da’Jah Veney KHS Culinary Arts Bradley Allen DHS Jessica Carmean KHS Jillian Hensley SPHS Diesel Tech George Long KHS Andrew Thompson PHS Engineering Tech Bryan Delas Penas PHS Johan Milele Tamze Kouanga LRHS IT Computer Science Camryn Hensley PHS Fatima Sharp DHS IT Networking Adriana Akins DHS Nicholas Groth SPHS Kylie Larsen SPHS Desiraye McKenzie DHS Senior Options Program: Alexander Barnes (Networking) PHS Tyler Cooper (Construction) SPHS Candace Day (AHP) DHS Cody Neiser (Eng Tech) DHS Nikell Stephenson (AHP) KHS Samantha Walton (AHP) PHS

Twenty-Sixth Annual National Technical Honor Society

Induction Ceremony at Sollers Point!!!

On April 11, 2016 Sollers Point Technical High School held its 26th annual induction for the National Technical Honor Society. The following students demonstrated outstanding performance in their technical programs over a two-year period, and also earned above av-erage GPA’s in all other courses. Character traits and student qualities, such as honesty, responsibility and leadership were also considered during the recommendation process. We applaud our new inductees (and encourage ninth grade and level one students to strive for membership.) Congratulations to the 35 inductees. We would also like to extend our appreciation to sen-ior Walter Conde (formerly in the IT Computer Science Program) who represented students members inducted last year. We would like to thank Ruth Akers and Keleigh Kongkra-phun for their assistance at the ceremony. Special thanks go to Chef Cassano for the cookie trays, Leah Warble, photographer and Michael Zurkowski, stage technician, who also cre-ated the media presentation of our newest NTHS members.

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Sollers Point NEW 2016-2017 Scheduling Plan

To assist you in planning for next school year we would like to

share some changes in the morning and afternoon sessions.

Listed below is the intended academic course to be scheduled

for students in each technical program.*

*NOTE: Academic selections are subject to change in order

to best meet an individual student’s needs.

Morning – Three classes 7:45 to 10:15

Grade 10 = Level 1 Grade 11 = Level 2

(2) Automotive Services Tech 1 + math (2) Academy Health

Professions 2 + science

(2) Baking and Pastry 1 + science (3) Engineering Technician 2

(1) Biomedical Science 2 + science + FOT (3) Cosmetology 2

(2) Construction Management 1 + math

(3) Cosmetology 1 – no other courses

(2) Culinary Arts 1 + a science

(2) Diesel Truck & Power Systems 1 + math

(2) IT Networking 1 + math

(2) IT AP Computer Science 1 + math

Afternoon – Three classes 11:45 to 2:15

Grade 10 = Level 1 Grade 11 = Level 2 (3)

(2) Academy Health Professions 1 (3) Automotive Services Technology 2

+science (3) Baking & Pastry 2

(2) Biomedical Sciences Level 3

+ science

(3) Construction Management 2

(3) Culinary Arts 2

(3) Cosmetology 3 (grade 12)

(3) Diesel Truck and Power Systems 2

(2) IT Networking 2 + Cybersecurity

2) IT Computer Science 2 + Visual Basic

REMINDER: You will receive a separate summer mailings

from Sollers Point– so please report address or phone number

changes to our office as well as your home high school.

(410-887-7077)

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

On April 15th, the Math and Engineering departments, led by Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Roth, and Mr. Zurkowski, escorted our students to

the USA Science & Engineering Expo at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Our freshman students who will matriculate into the Allied

Health, Bio Medical, Auto/Diesel, and IT/Networking technical programs next year, were 29 of the 7,700 students that were in

attendance.

Our students were able to take part in a plethora of interactive exhibits that were made available through sponsors such as Lockheed Martin, Bose, and NASA, as well as several colleges and

universities providing information about the STEM undergraduate programs that they offer. This was an enriching experience for

our students and we are looking forward to attending again when the expo comes back to DC in 2018!

The Biology HSA is coming on May 24th to Sollers Point Tech-

nical. Students will be told more in-

formation about the Biology HSA

from their Biology teachers and the

Administration in a few weeks. All

ninth grade students must take this

assessment in order to graduate.

There will be a Saturday School Review class to get ready for the

Biology HSA on May 14th from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Stu-

dents must have their own transportation to and from Sollers

Point Technical on that Saturday. More information will be forth

coming. Meanwhile, Biology teachers will start reviewing with

students using their HSA Study books and other resources. We

ask the parents/guardians to help encourage students to complete

review assignments.

Thank you,

The Science Department at Sollers Point Technical

May is Testing Month!!!

All 9th Grade Algebra 1 students at Sollers Point will be taking the

PARCC Algebra 1 assessment on May 18th,

19th, and 20th. The test is composed of 3– 90

sections. Below is additional information about

the test. If you would like to view more infor-

mation, visit the following link:

https://www.bcps.org/news/2015/1027/Fact-Sheet-Parent-BCPS.pdf

2015 PARCC ASSESSMENT RESULTS The PARCC exam is not an “additional” test but replaces the Maryland

School Assessment (MSA) and the High School Assessments (HSAs) in

Algebra 1 and English 10. It also marks a significant departure from these

previous assessments. This change will produce much different test re-

sults that will give us new information about individual students and

schools and their performance. The PARCC assessment measures stu-

dents’ critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and writing skills, which

are all essential for success in higher education and the workplace. Now

students must demonstrate and explain their knowledge and understand-

ing as opposed to simply reciting memorized facts or filling in a bubble for

a correct answer. These changes mean that we cannot compare PARCC

exam results to those of the MSA or HSA.

The PARCC score reports will show how a student performed on

each portion of the PARCC assessment as well as the student’s overall

score. This overall score will fall within one of five performance levels that

indicate the extent to which a child demonstrated understanding of grade-

level subject standards. Students whose scores fall within level 4 or 5

have demonstrated that they have a thorough understanding of grade-

level content and are on the right track to being ready for college-level

coursework. Students with level 3 scores are approaching expectations,

but may need additional assistance mastering content. Students earning

level 1 or 2 scores need greater supports and help to master content. The

reports will also allow families to compare how their student is doing com-

pared to others in his/her school, district, or state.

For more information about the PARCC exam and other statewide assessments,

please visit http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/parcc/index.html or

http://www.parcconline.org/.

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Sollers Point Tech held a College Pathways Week in March in an effort to promote the CCBC/BCPS College Fairs that took place in March. A focus was made on career pathways since some of our col-leagues here at Sollers have not taken tra-ditional college paths to get where they are now. A drawing was held for prizes from various colleges for filling out the college trivia forms. Teachers shared information about their own pathways. College Spirit Day was our culminating day for all stu-dents and teachers. Some fun stories and information were shared by teachers along with a little bit of bragging about their alma maters.

Sollers Visits CCBC Twice in April!!!

On April 5th, 40 juniors visited Dundalk campus to take the Accuplacer placement exam. Academic advising took place with each student individu-ally. A free lunch was provided in their café and a tour of the campus. Tak-ing the Accuplacer is one of the steps for registering at CCBC. If you have taken the SAT’s and scored a 500 or above on either section, then you are exempt from having to take the Accuplacer. You will need to take copies of your SAT scores to CCBC Student Services in order to have them verify your exemption from the Accuplacer. If anyone else interested in registering to take classes at CCBC, you can pick up an application in the School Counseling Office or register online at http://www.ccbcmd.edu/get-started/applying-to-ccbc. You can also apply in person at any of their campuses.

You can take the practice test to help you prepare for the Accuplacer at www.ccbcmd.edu. Click on “get started”, then click “placement testing”, click “practice before taking the test”, click “take a practice test”. You will be di-rected to click on the line www.collegeboard.com to create a college board account.

On April 27th, 33 sophmores attended a field trip to the Catonsville campus

of CCBC. Students visited one of three programs…auto, HVAC, or health

professions. Students went on a tour of the campus

and were provided with a lunch in their café.

Cameron Liptrap inside an HVAC unit at CCBC.

A CCBC instructor demonstrates how to

run a diagnostic on a cooling system.

Several students get a glimpse of a Corvette

test car in the CCBC Automotive Program.

Sollers Point Develops Partnerships with the Community!!!

At Sollers Point, we are always looking to connect with business partners in the community to

provide meaningful capstone work experiences for our seniors. On April 22nd, John Klug,

Magnet Coordinator and Bill Plantholt, School to Career Coordinator had the opportunity to

visit the brand new Blueprint Robotics facility on Broening Highway. Recently reviewed by the

Baltimore Sun and Dundalk Eagle, Blueprint Robotics truly epitomizes innovative thinking and

cutting– edge technology hoping to revolutionize the way we design and build homes.

Incorporating aspects of construction

management, engineering, and information

technology, Blueprint Robotics represents the

demands of the 21st century workplace for which

we strive to prepare all of our students at Sollers

Point.

For opportunities to develop a work-study

partnership with Sollers Point, contact Bill

Plantholt at bplantholt@bcps.org

Inside the 200,000 square foot Blueprint Robotics facility on

Broening Highway.

March 1, 2016

Dear seniors, parents/guardians;

The 2016 Sollers Point Technical High School Senior Recognition

Ceremony will be held at Sollers Point Technical High School, 1901

Delvale Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21222. The ceremony will take place

in the Sollers Point/Dundalk auditorium on Thursday, May 26, 2016

at 7:00 p.m. There is a required rehearsal for seniors on Wednesday,

May 25, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. In order to receive your certificate on

stage with your classmates, you must attend the rehearsal.

Arrive for REHEARSAL on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 no later

than 3:00 p.m.

Arrive for the CEREMONY on Thursday, May 26, 2016 no later

than 6:00 p.m. It will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.

If you have a conflict with an arrival time, you MUST contact Mr.

Plantholt or Mr. Harris before May 20, 2016 at 410-887-7078 or

email at wplantholt@bcps.org or bharris3@bcps.org. If you do not

participate in the ceremony, certificates and awards may be picked up

in the Sollers Point counseling office beginning June 6th.

Since this is an honorable occasion, students are required to wear pro-

fessional attire. Gentlemen are required to wear a shirt, tie and long

pants. Jackets are optional. Ladies can wear dresses, skirts or slacks

with blouses appropriate for the occasion. Please, no jeans or flip

flops. It would be advisable that all ladies try to leave their purses at

home or with a relative in the audience. Students should also wear

their honor society cords. As expected, phones need to be turned off

or muted and not visible during the ceremony.

Due to the size of the auditorium, a ticket is required to attend. Each

student will receive three tickets. A ticket is not required for partici-

pating students. Tickets will be distributed to students at the rehearsal.

Please RSVP by May 6, 2016. After May 6, 2016 additional tickets

may be available.

Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you at the

ceremony!

Sincerely,

Senior Recognition Ceremony Committee

RSVP by email to Mr. Plantholt wplantholt@bcps.org or Mr. Harris

bharris3@bcps.org or return the tear off below to the Sollers Point

Tech. office no later than May 6, 2016. Copies of this form were

mailed home on Monday, March 7th.

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Name of Student_________________________________

Contact Number ________________________

# of guests attending _____________________________

# of additional tickets needed ______________________

Class of 2016

Recognition Ceremony

Message from the

School Nurse

Protecting Yourself from

Sun Damage

What are the dangers of sun exposure? The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. If you looked at sunburned skin under a

strong microscope, you would see that the cells and blood vessels have been damaged.

With repeated sun damage, the skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discolored, and leathery.

Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened and, as a result, it

will bruise more easily.

However, the sun's most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin cancer, which is

now the most common of all cancers. Doctors believe that most skin cancers can be avoided

by preventing sun damage.

Does the sun have benefits? You may have been taught as a child that you need sunlight for your body to make vitamin

D, because vitamin D is not found naturally in most foods. But today, many foods are fortified

with vitamin D during the manufacturing process. Thus, sun exposure is not as important for

the body's vitamin D supply as it used to be. Of course, being outdoors makes most people

feel good. And playing tennis is better for your health than watching television. But you can

still protect yourself from the sun's damaging effects while enjoying yourself outdoors.

How can I avoid the harmful effects of the sun? Staying out of the sun is the best way to avoid sun damage, but most of us go outdoors reg-

ularly. So when you go outside, take these precautions:

Most importantly, always wear sunscreen. You should put it on every day. Make it a habit, such as

brushing your teeth.

Try to avoid sun in the middle of the day, from about 10 am to 3 pm. The ultraviolet rays, which

cause sunburn, are strongest during this time.

When you do go outdoors, especially for long periods in the middle of the day, wear protective cloth-

ing. Long sleeves and slacks, as well as a wide-brimmed hat, help protect your body against the sun's

harmful effects.

Wear sunglasses that filter UV light.

What is SPF in a sunscreen? SPF stands for sun protection factor. The SPF number tells you how well the product will

protect you from UVB, the burning rays of the sun. (Most sunscreens also absorb ultraviolet

"A" rays, or UVA.) The larger the SPF number, the greater the amount of protection. Every-

one should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. If you have had a skin cancer or

precancer, you should use a sunscreen with an even higher SPF. Many of the new sun-

screens have SPFs of 30, 45, or higher.

I don't burn very often. Does this mean I can use a sunscreen with

a low SPF? If you were only trying to avoid sunburn, the answer would be "yes." But protection from

sunburn is not the most important reason for wearing sunscreen. You want to reduce

damage from the sun. Your skin can be harmed by constant sun exposure, whether or not

you see a burn. Remember, sunburn is an immediate reaction, but damage from the sun

occurs over a lifetime. If you have had a skin cancer or pre-cancer, you should use an SPF

of 15 or higher. (Some dermatologists recommend that almost everyone use a sunscreen

with an SPF of 15.)

Who should use sunscreens? Anyone who spends time outdoors should use a sunscreen.

This includes:

Men, women, and children

People who tan easily and those who don't

Fair-skinned and dark-skinned people;

People who already have tans

Sunbathers, gardeners, and skiers.

Products that come into contact with your skin, including perfumes, certain medications, and

soaps, may make your skin more sensitive. Think about the products you have been using

(especially new products), and stop using these one by one before you stop using the sun-

screen. If you are not sure about the side effects of a medication you are taking, consult with

your doctor or local pharmacist.

Who should use sunscreens? Anyone who spends time outdoors should use a sunscreen.

This includes:

Men, women, and children

People who tan easily and those who don't

Fair-skinned and dark-skinned people;

People who already have tans

Sunbathers, gardeners, and skiers.

Are sunscreens safe for children?

Yes. Not only are sunscreens safe for children over age 6 months, if used regularly

in childhood they can prevent skin cancers from developing in later life. Recently, a

researcher reported that if sunscreens were used regularly by children through the

age of 18, there would be a 72% reduction in the cases of skin cancer later in life.

How should sunscreens be applied? Sunscreens are very effective when used properly. Follow these guidelines to give

yourself the most protection:

Apply the sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before you go outdoors, whenever you

will be exposed for 30 minutes or more.

Reapply sunscreen every 3 hours while you are outdoors, even if the product is labeled

"all-day." If you are getting a lot of sun or perspiring heavily, reapply sunscreen every

hour or two.

Cover all exposed areas, including your ears, lips, face and back of your hands.

Don’t skimp; apply a generous layer. Smooth it on rather than rub it in. A rule of thumb

is that 30 ml (a shot glass) of sunscreen is necessary for application to all exposed skin

to attain the stated level of protection.

Women should apply sunscreens under makeup. If you wait to apply sunscreen until you hit

the beach, you may already be perspiring, and moisture makes sunscreens less effective.

My skin is sensitive. Should I skip the sunscreen? Some sunscreens contain ingredients that may irritate the skin. If you know you

react to specific ingredients, be sure to check the contents on the label. You can

also ask your dermatologist to recommend a sunscreen.

However, the sunscreen may not be causing the reaction. Other products that come

into contact with your skin, including perfumes, certain medications, and soaps,

may make your skin more sensitive. Think about the products you have been using

(especially new products), and stop using these one by one before you stop using

the sunscreen. If you are not sure about the side effects of a medication you are

taking, consult with your doctor or local pharmacist.

For more information, visit the link below.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_An_Overview_ofYour_Skin/

hic_protecting_yourself_from_sun_damage